International Association Meetings Market
Destination Marketing for Convention Bureaus & Centres

Suntec Singapore Unveils Plans

ARA Trust Management (Suntec) Limited, managers of the Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust (Suntec REIT) and majority shareholder of Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre (Suntec Singapore) have announced a S$180 million modernization program for the venue.

Suntec Singapore, which has hosted more than 18,000 events over the last 16 years (including some of the world’s biggest exhibitions and conventions such as the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference (1996), the 2006 Annual Meetings of the Board of Govenors of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, as well as the 2009 APEC Singapore Leaders’ Week), will receive its makeover commencing mid 2012. The redesign of the venue will pay particular attention to flexibility, functionality and convertibility while integrating a high degree of advanced technology which will include an impressive 2-storey interactive digital wall and a modernized facade. Suntec Singapore will operate from levels 2 to 7 with the grand entrance on level 3, served by express escalators.

Pieter Idenburg, Chief Executive Officer, says that the venue, designed and built more than 15 years ago, was extraordinarily planned and robustly built. “The building has served us extremely well. Suntec Singapore has played a major role in advancing the MICE industry in Singapore and being established as a premier MICE destination. With the implementation of these planned enhancements, we will be well placed to meet the changing needs of our customers and to ensure that our business partners at all points of the supply chain have a fantastic experience and will enjoy the finest of our offerings - well into the next decade.”

Suntec Singapore is “Asia’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre”
6 Times Over

Suntec Singapore edged out its competitors across Asia again, winning the title “Asia’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre” for a sixth year.

Beating strong competition from seven other establishments across leading Asian cities, Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre (Suntec Singapore) came out tops at the World Travel Awards as it wowed a voting panel of industry professionals with its top quality of service, strong business acumen and innovative culture.

“To be recognized as Asia’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre for the sixth consecutive time in a row is more than just an honour for the team. Winning this award in light of sprouting venues (both locally and regionally) provides the inspiration and motivation to continue reaching higher. Being lauded best in our class further validates our standing as a venue of choice,” said Pieter Idenburg, CEO of Suntec Singapore from Bangkok, Thailand, where the awards ceremony was held. “This success will further motivate the team in our never-ending pursuit forservice and operational excellence.”

Described as the “Oscars” of the travel and tourism industry, the Awards is the industry‘s most comprehensive and involved a phenomenal 213,000 participants in the voting process.

Media Release 20/01/12: Excellent start to 2012 and the Chinese New Year as the Janet Sealy Partnership renews its Representation Agreement with SUNTEC SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE

Janet Sealy Partnership Ltd is pleased to announce that they have signed a new agreement with Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre who they have represented in Europe for the past 6 years.

It is especially exciting as the Centre will be undergoing a S$180million modernization project, in stages from mid 2012 to early 2013.

After 17 years, Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre will make radical changes with new access points, new, flexible and functional MICE spaces complete with the latest cutting-edge technology. Adjacent retail spaces will also be enhanced with sleek duplex shops and atrium areas. A new Sky Garden will be created to offer a mix of new alfresco restaurants and watering holes on the retail mall's level 3, giving conference delegates endless options of dining and entertainment options within the entire Suntec City.

We are extremely excited with this makeover and we would be more than happy to share plans with you as they become available in the next few months.

Janet Sealy commented that “having worked with Suntec after it first opened 17 years ago and again for the last 6 years, we are delighted to continue our close relationship with the very professional Suntec team at such an exciting time in Suntec’s impressive history“

WeeMin Ong Commercial Director of Suntec added:-

“We are happy to have found a likeminded partner in the Janet Sealy Partnership. Over the years we have worked closely together to establish Suntec Singapore as a premier MICE venue and collectively secured many wins. I look forward to the future as we continue to market our newly transformed venue to the marketplace”

The contact telephone number at the JSP offices for Suntec International is +44 1753 481540 or by email to suntec@janetsealypartnership.com

Ends

The Dubai Convention Bureau (DCB) led a delegation of Dubai stakeholders on a sales mission to Europe recently. Visiting Geneva and Brussels, the group were able to showcase Dubai’s offerings to over 60 top congress and event organizers. In addition to hosting lunch events in Brussels and Geneva, a series of personal sales visits to international organizations and intermediaries was organised.

In Geneva, the delegation was honoured by the presence of H.E. The Ambassador Obaid Salem Al Zaabi - Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva.

Diary Date: We will be at IMEX 2012, Frankfurt

IMEX will take place on 22nd – 24th May 2012 at Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt.

Every year more and more meeting and event planners and marketing professionals come to IMEX, the world's leading exhibition for meetings, incentive travel and event marketing.

To find out more about IMEX, please visit www.imex-frankfurt.com

Diary Date: EIBTM 2012, Barcelona

EIBTM will take place on 27th – 29th November 2012 at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona.

EIBTM is one of the leading global events for the meetings and events industry.

To find out more about EIBTM, please visit
www.eibtm.com

Dubai Convention Bureau’s new website is fast and reactive, and designed to meet international event planners’ needs, with improved interactive services including an online venue search with mapping and marketing tools, sample incentive itineraries and an RFP submission form with a 24-hour response guarantee. Visit www.dcb.ae to find out more.

In the last week of September 2010, Dubai Convention Bureau were joined by stakeholder partners Atlantis the Palm, Congress Solutions International, Dubai World Trade Centre, Jumeirah Group and Rotana for a UK Road Show, comprising a gala reception and dinner at Altitude 360° in London, and a series of group presentations to major UK conference and event agencies.

Over 40 international association, agency and media guests attended the Altitude 360° event on 29 September, where an authentic majlis reception tent, henna painting and traditional khaleeji dancing provided a Dubai experience overlooking the spectacular night view of the West End of London.

For a personal copy of the Dubai Planner’s Guide or cd-rom, please contact us on dubai@janetsealypartnership.com or tel: +44 (0)1753 481550.